15.02.2010 Deliberative Democracy in the Kyrgyz Manner
"It is important to understand the true purpose of the proposed initiative. This will help assess the real capabilities of Kurultay, either as a means to promote democracy, or as a project to consolidate citizens," stated Anar Musabaeva, an independent expert, in her article dedicated to the upcoming Kurultay of Consent.
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18.01.2010 "Multilingualism and tolerance”
On December 10, the Bishkek Press Club held a roundtable on the topic "Multilingualism and Tolerance" within the framework of the project "Increasing Tolerance Among Young People in Conflict Prevention" with the support of the OSCE Center in Bishkek. Representatives of governmental agencies, nongovernmental and international organizations, members of the Jogorku Kenesh of KR and journalists participated in the roundtable.
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12.01.2010 "How does self-censorship affect the coverage of political conflicts?"
On December 3, the Bishkek Press Club held a Roundtable on "How does self-censorship affect the coverage of political conflicts?" within the framework of the project "Enhancing the capacity of journalists in covering political conflicts” with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Representatives from state bodies, non-governmental and international organizations, as well as political analysts and journalists, participated in the Roundtable.
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03.12.2009 "Culture of Tolerance: The Problem of Formation"
On 6 November the Bishkek Press Club held a Roundtable on "Culture of Tolerance: the Problem of Formation" within the framework of the project "Increasing Tolerance Among Young People in Conflict Prevention" with the support of the OSCE Center in Bishkek. Representatives of state bodies, NGOs and international organizations, as well as representatives of religious organizations, participated in the Roundtable.
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06.11.2009 “Reporting on political conflicts in KR: how to keep the balance of opinion?”
On October 14 the Bishkek Press Club held a roundtable on "Reporting on political conflicts in KR: how to keep the balance of opinion?" Public figures, political scientists, media experts and journalists participated in the roundtable.
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05.11.2009 Tamerlan Ibraimov: "The current government and opposition are players of different weight classes, and, therefore, they have nothing to say to each other"
"I am almost sure that until the spring of 2010 there will be no dissolution of the parliament”, said Tamerlan Ibraimov, Kyrgyz political scientist, in his interview. He shared his opinion on how political events in the country would develop in the fall and spring, what was the state of political forces in Kyrgyzstan, what were the opportunities for the dialogue between the government and the opposition, and what determined the probability of the parliament’s dissolution.
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16.06.2009 How to safeguard the rights of journalists in Kyrgyzstan.
The question of safety for journalists is becoming more topical in Kyrgyzstan. Media representatives are now often rethinking about whether they should work on special investigations or cover acute political issues. Their concerns are based on the increasing frequency of crimes committed against journalists.
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03.04.2009 The right of Kyrgyz citizens to peaceful assembly: recent decisions by the authorities and the response of the society
In the post-Soviet space, Kyrgyzstan has always been known as a state with the highest level of democratic freedoms. Among them, one can speak about the right of citizens to peaceful assembly. However, during the post-revolution period since 2005, the situation began to change. As of today, it could be argued that citizens of Kyrgyzstan are being deprived of this important right.
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02.04.2009 The Future of Online Journalism in Kyrgyzstan
On March 12, the Bishkek Press Club held a roundtable on “The Future of Online Journalism in Kyrgyzstan” within the framework of the project “Strengthening Online Journalism in Kyrgyzstan” with the support of the British Embassy in Astana. Members of the Kyrgyz Parliament, representatives of NGOs, international organizations, media, including participants of Online Journalism School took part in the round table.
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23.03.2009 Governmental Internet Portals: Challenges and Prospects
On February 17 the Bishkek Press Club held a round table on “Governmental Internet Portals: Challenges and Prospects” within the framework of the project “Strengthening internet journalism in Kyrgyzstan,” with the support of the British Embassy in Astana. Representatives of state bodies, media experts, journalists and participants to the School of online journalism participated in the round table.
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03.03.2009 The Current and Proposed Legislation to Regulate Online Journalism Activities
On January 27, 2009, the Institute for Public Policy held a Roundtable on “The current and proposed legislation to regulate online journalism activities.” Media experts, representatives of the Government, international organizations and online publications of Kyrgyzstan participated in this event.
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26.01.2009 Comments and Forums: Pros and Cons
On December 23, 2008, the Bishkek Press Club held a Roundtable on ''Comments and Forums: Pros and Cons’’ within the framework of the project “Promotion of online journalism in Kyrgyzstan” with the support of the British Embassy in Astana. Media experts, members of the Kyrgyz Parliament, journalists and representatives of governmental bodies and NGOs participated in the round table.
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15.01.2009 Do we need to give online publications the status of the mass media?
On 10 December 2008, the Institute for Public Policy held a round table on “Do we need to give online publications the status of the mass media?” within the framework of the project “Promotion of online journalism in Kyrgyzstan” with the support of the British Embassy in Astana. Representatives of legislative and executive branches of power, media experts and representatives of the Kyrgyz media expressed their views on this matter.
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14.01.2009 The Current State of Online Journalism in Kyrgyzstan: Problems and Development Prospects
On November 24, 2008, the Bishkek Press Club held a round table on "The Current State of Online Journalism in Kyrgyzstan: Problems and Development Prospects" within the framework of the project "Promotion of Online Journalism in Kyrgyzstan" with the support of the British Embassy in Astana. Media experts, members of the Kyrgyz Parliament, journalists and representatives of governmental bodies and NGOs participated in the round table.
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15.12.2008 Online Publications in Kyrgyzstan: the Aspects of Influence
Despite the fact that access to the global network is still limited in the regions, the influence of online publications in the decision-making process, for governmental and non-governmental institutions, the media and the development of public relations in Kyrgyzstan, has been increasing., Being an alternative source of important information for the public, and supporting the pluralism of opinions, online publications contribute to the democratic development of the society and help maintain a certain level of freedom of speech and expression in the country.
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25.09.2008 The development of the mass media in Kyrgyzstan: trends in 2008
The Kyrgyz media, remaining the most free-thinking in Central Asia, is concerned about the current state of freedom of expression in the country. Despite the preserved conditions for media development, the trends in 2008 are alarming. According to several local and foreign media experts, this situation can be explained by the fact that 2007 was a very difficult time for Kyrgyz journalism and laid some dangerous trends for the development of the media in the future.
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23.09.2008 Online journalism in Kyrgyzstan: Problems and Prospects
Internet journalism in Kyrgyzstan remains one of the most independent branches of journalism today. Compared with the press, TV and radio journalism, representatives of online publications enjoy much greater freedom of speech and have an opportunity to express a diversity of views.
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27.08.2008 Kyrgyz mass media continually move forward but make no progress
Ever since Kyrgyzstan gained its independence, its mass media have been struggling to develop under tough conditions. There is no consistent state policy on the development of the media.
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18.08.2008 The problem of interethnic and interconfessional relations: Democracy as a method for their solution
What is the basis for forming a constructive national government policy – spirituality, law or indeed economics, whose social and political expression is revealed by consumer communities created, or being created by other states?
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11.08.2008 Torture: The Situation in Kyrgyzstan
The issue of torture has recently become a topic of rapt attention for state officials, civil society representatives, and experts, triggering many lively discussions.
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15.07.2008 About a political autumn - 2008
“Now we see that currently an active search is on for a real, not formal, space uniting one or another force full of discontent and concern for the politics of the White House. It is true for a wide range from a radical Revcom to loyal “United Kyrgyzstan”, - says an article by the famous Kyrgyzstani analyst, Valentine Bogatyryov, which the BPC provides here for your attention.
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14.07.2008 Social capital and civil society: discussions about democracy in Kyrgyzstan
Lately analysts have been actively discussing why democracy is not taking root in our national soil, what is the essence and nature of a transition period and what results should be expected from democracy. Analysts also often refer to the issue of the civil society’s role in democratization, and lately the terms “informal politics and informal political institutions” have been frequently used to describe our state political system. In this material I would like to like to bring forward my vision that the above-listed programs are interrelated through a paradigm that assumes that civil society is an element of a “social capital” and that democracy is a development factor.
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04.07.2008 Round-table “Struggle against torture in Kyrgyzstan: Analysis of the situation and joint efforts”
On June 17, 2008, the Bishkek Press Club hosted a round-table on “The struggle against torture in Kyrgyzstan: Analysis of situation and joint efforts,” dedicated to the International Day in Support of Torture Victims (June 26). Representatives of government bodies, international and non-government organizations, deputies of the JK and human rights experts participated.
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03.06.2008 Concept of the rule of law under conditions of informal political processes: a nonjuridical opinion
Kyrgyzstan is not called a transition democracy any more. The word “transition”, popular in the past, became a synonym for protracted political construction project and incompleteness. Today no one will take on the task of defining where the country has “transited” to, but according to the theory of a democratic transition we are still going through the second stage of the whole process, the process of democratization”.
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29.05.2008 Jogorku Kenesh: realities, problems and prospects
It is difficult to understand why there was a need to buy expensive Japanese Camrys foreach deputy. Some say that it is necessary to meet voters, and upgrade the image of national parliament in front of foreign delegations. It is funny. The image is shaped not by the presence of an expensive car in a poor country, but patriotism and the quality of parliamentarians’ work.
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21.05.2008 The right for peaceful assemblies: new initiatives and their consequences
On May 8, 2008, the Bishkek Press Club hosted a roundtable on “The right for peaceful assemblies: new initiatives and their consequences.” Representatives of ministries, the Jogorku Kenesh, and human rights organizations participated.
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14.05.2008 “Franco Syndrome”: informal politics in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz and post-Soviet readers are largely unaware of so-called “Franco Syndrome,” a phenomenon that has been attracting the interest of researchers studying post-Soviet countries that are in transition from one political system to another. By no means, that, in the first place, applies to Kyrgyzstan.
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12.05.2008 Marat Kaipov: “In the future people won’t have to organize revolutions or other types of protest campaigns”
“Representatives of the opposition want the Central Election Commission (CEC) to publish election results from each election precinct. There is no government in the world that publishes such results”, - said Marat Kaipov, Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic in the interview to BPC (IPP media project) connected to Human Rights protection issues in Kyrgyzstan.
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07.05.2008 About the new Kyrgyz opposition
Longstanding, and occasionally fierce, battles between the government and the opposition has created the clear existence of a political space. It seemed that it had some political parties, people calling themselves politicians and sincerely believing it, and the configuration of a formal distribution of authorities from one political structure changed for another.
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29.04.2008 Will the April revival lead to a dialogue between the opposition and the government?
After the “failure” of the Joined Front in April of 2007, Kyrgyzstan has not faced any striking or large-scale campaign from the opposition in a year. That gave reason for individual experts and officials to claim that the Kyrgyz opposition has been totally exhausted and any tangible performance could hardly be expected from it. However, the political revival began in April of 2008, when the opposition announced the organization of the National Kurultai, from which a range of events followed.
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01.04.2008 Higher Education in Kyrgyzstan: Is It a Public Good or a Private Good?
The privatization of higher education is one of the most-discussed issues in the world, including Kyrgyzstan, where the issue was raised several years ago and still remains unresolved, hanging “in the air.” At the March 19, 2008, meeting of EdNet university network members, Minister of Economy Akylbek Japarov proposed the idea once again, saying: “It is necessary to let universities go on a free voyage, in order to allow market selection to choose the strongest universities.”
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25.03.2008 Kyrgyzstan: The Top Problems of the Nation and Realpolitik
Spring has come, but will be there a thaw? The first is given by God and nature, which He created. The second depends on people. Spring brings hope, even to the most disappointed people. Maybe everything will turn out alright, they begin to think. This is the particular way to perceive changes in nature. However, even though humans are part of nature, they live in accordance with their own laws. Among these laws and rules, psychological feelings and their changes play an important role. It has to be said that they not only represent the reactions of people to their very existence, but they also shape the course of events.
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18.03.2008 “The prospects of digital TV in Kyrgyzstan”
On February 19, 2008 there was a round-table at the Bishkek Press Club with the participation of leading media experts and journalists in Kyrgyzstan on the topic of: “The prospects of digital TV in Kyrgyzstan.”
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04.03.2008 Informal politics in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, according to some experts, belongs to a group of countries characterized by underdeveloped political institutions. As a result, many important decisions in the country are made in the “informal sphere.” You can read in this IPP document about “informal politics” in Kyrgyzstan, as seen by some of the country’s leading experts and politicians.
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25.02.2008 "Limits of legal control: Is a dialogue between the mass media and the state possible?"
A roundtable involving leading media experts was held at the Bishkek Press Club February 13, 2008. The topic was “Limits of legal control: Is a dialogue between the mass media and the state possible?”
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08.02.2008 Round-table “How decisions are made in Kyrgyzstan”
On January 30 there was a round-table at the Bishkek Press Club on the topic: “How decisions are made in Kyrgyzstan” Reports by well-known experts, related to problems in various fields of political decision-making, were presented.
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31.01.2008 “The role of the elite in political decision-making”
The IPP presents to its readers the full text of the speech by Valentin Bogatyrev, a well-known expert on Kyrgyzstan, at the round-table of “How decisions are made in Kyrgyzstan?” organized by the Bishkek Press Club on January 30, 2008.
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21.01.2008 Kyrgyzstan: is democracy on the agenda for the country?
There is the opinion that the very rapid and unprepared move by Kyrgyzstan towards democracy and liberalization did not justify many hopes, and that now the country is returning to a more natural condition, which corresponds to its historical past, culture and the mentality of the people.
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14.01.2008 Status of formal political institutes and interactions with informal political structures in Kyrgyzstan
The character and current state of political institutes in the Kyrgyz Republic can be mainly explained by their historical genesis. The emergence of country in such a format as of 1990-1991 was accompanied by a ‘heavy’ heritage of the Soviet Union in a form of state system, and its subsequent transformation was determined both by structural limitations and post-Soviet effects.
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09.01.2008 Informal institutes as “rules of a political game” in Kyrgyzstan
Informal institutes in Kyrgyzstan operate in a kind of of behavioral sub-culture; the result of various irrelevant fragments of historical reality, present concerns and some mythological constructions. Some experts consider any human activities that are beyond the norms of law as ‘informal institutes’, although distinguishing the line of “legal” and “illegal” is usually very much arbitrary.
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05.01.2008 Experts on Kyrgyzstan discussed the results of the elections and made a political prognosis for 2008
Kyrgyzstan’s experts summarized the developments of the current year at the round-table of the Institute for Public Policy on December 26. Experts discussed major political events of the last months and shared their views on what to expect in Kyrgyzstan in 2008.
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14.12.2007 Kyrgyzstan in the run up to Parliamentary Elections
On December 11, the Institute for Public Policy hosted a round table, with the participation of experts, on «Kyrgyzstan in the run up to Parliamentary Elections».
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11.12.2007 Human rights in Kyrgyzstan in 2007
The year 2007 was filled with positive aspects in human rights practice as well as extensive violations of them in various spheres of social life. This is because Kyrgyzstan is still searching for a path for development, which is accompanied by an unstable political situation and a deterioration of the socio-economic climate.
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30.11.2007 Local self government as a way for Kyrgyz citizens to participate in state governance
On November 28th, 2007 the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) hosted a Round Table on “Local Self-Government as a way for Kyrgyz citizens to participate in state governance”. The experts were: Bahtiyarjan Fattahov, stats-secretary of the KR National Agency on Local Self-Government; Sabyr Bainazarov, Chair of the KR Municipalities Association; Aleksei Krasin Director of the Local Self-Government Development Agency; Nadejda Dobretzova, Urban Institute “Decentralization and Local Self-Government” Project Officer; Anarbek Ismailov, senior lawyer of the “Decentralization and Local Self-Government” project; Gulnara Iskakova, Deputy Director of the “Parliament Capacity Building” Program, MSI.
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27.11.2007 Kyrgyzstan prior to the parliamentary elections
There is less than a month to go before parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan on December 16th. The population of the country has to decide whom to vote for within this short period. Experts agree that even though the role of political parties has grown significantly as a result of elections based on political party lists, people in Kyrgyzstan will continue to vote for “individuals” irrespective of their programs or their party’s ideas. Experts also express their views on how ready the population will be for this election and how transparent and fair the polls will be.
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21.11.2007 Perspectives for establishing a Central Asian Union
On the initiative of the Embassy of Kazakhstan to the Kyrgyz Republic, the round-table on the topic “Perspectives for establishing a Central Asian Union” was held at the Institute for Public Policy on November 15, 2007. Leading specialists in the fields of international relations and economics, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Belorussia in the Kyrgyz Republic, political scientists and independent experts participated in the round-table. The meeting was dedicated to discussing the draft of the concept of creating a Union of Central Asian states (UCAS). The first time the idea of creating UCAS was proposed, in February 2005, was by President Nursultan Nazarbaev of Kazakhstan.
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19.11.2007 Mass media of Kyrgyzstan prior to parliamentary elections
In November 15, 2007 there was a round-table at the Bishkek Press Club, organized by the Institute for Public Policy and the Institute on War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). The participants of the round table, dedicated to the mass media of Kyrgyzstan before and during elections, consisted of leading media experts, representatives of Kyrgyzstan’s expert community, the Central Elections Committee (CEC), NGOs and international organizations, and journalists of local and foreign mass media.
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17.11.2007 The price of freedom of speech. In memory of Alisher Saipov
On 26 October 2007 Institute for Public Policy hosted round table discussion on “The price of freedom of speech” dedicated to memory of the Kyrgyz journalist Alisher Saipov, who was shot in Osh on 24 October. Journalists, representatives of media organizations, advocacy organizations, NGOs stood in memory of Alisher Saipov and discussed the problem of journalists’ security in emergency situations.
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12.11.2007 Concepts and Images of Self-identification
In one of his interviews the Dalai Lama said that he follows three beliefs, three duties: “First, I am a human being on the Earth…Second, I am a Buddhist…Third I am a Tibetan.” It is obvious that the first, second and third beliefs are located in different coordinate systems of self-consciousness. But how do personal identification maps interact and interrelate? What is primary and dominating, and what is secondary but still important within the individual, corporate and national contexts of self-identification models? Is it possible to have hierarchy and consistency? Or are they equal in the construction of meanings that stimulate and regulate subsequent actions of humans?
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06.11.2007 The Kyrgyz parliament: its dissolution and new elections
The dissolution of Jogorku Kenesh and upcoming parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan has generated much interest, and has become a focus of discussion in the political community. Attention is concentrated on the reasons behind the Jogorku Kenesh’s dissolution and potential distribution of political forces in a new parliament.
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27.10.2007 Analysis of political events in Kyrgyzstan for July-September 2007
The political period of July-August 2007 can be clearly divided into two stages: 1) internally and politically quiet summer with the hosting of the SCO summit, 2) the start and development of the autumn political project of President to complete constitutional reform and to re-construct the political landscape of the country. Political processes which took place during the summer stage were only efforts of different interest groups to use the SCO summit for their own interests. Internal political opposition did not actively participate in these processes, disregarding its promises declared in the spring to criticize the authorities both during the summit and afterwards.
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12.09.2007 The National Foundation of the Kyrgyz State Power
There are a number of definitions of state and statehood. Some of them are all-inclusive, some are fragmented, but essentially all of them are accurate and accepted by the world community. The formation of new approaches to understand the meaning and forms of statehood are likely to be associated with the accelerated and deepening process of advancement of the informational era in the history of human civilization.
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07.09.2007 SCO: constructing an identity
Perhaps, none of the previous SCO summits raised so much loose talk, provocative comments and unjustified expectations as the Bishkek summit did. Two intriguing messages came from outside of Central Asia. The first one related to the decision of the US President to billet some military installations in the territories of Poland and Czech Republic, and the Agreement between the USA, Japan and Australia along the same lines in the Pacific. Those concerned with the military and political issues of the world had been expecting the reaction of the SCO to such American initiatives.
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05.09.2007 The SCO in search of a new identity
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, since its official foundation on 15 June 2001 has passed through a number of stages. The main achievements, besides the organizational part, include the identification of major goals and tasks for SCO activities, within the realities of the period of “strategic uncertainty” or “dynamic stability” which strongly characterize the current state of international relations.
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31.08.2007 The difficult choice of the SCO
It may be said that the Bishkek summit of the SCO, and that associated with it, gave us the opportunity to see the spectrum of processes taking place within the organization as well as in the regions of the member states.
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28.08.2007 The Major Contradictions of the SCO and Stipulations for Regional and Global Development
The SCO in its current condition slightly reminds one of our Kyrgyz opposition. This is a situation when there is a motivation to develop “against” something or somebody but there is no outline of positive motives to develop “towards” something. This is a stimulus that contributed to the initial stage of the organization’s development, but no more than this. One may recall the history of the European Union which developed in a similar way: from the Coal and Steel Union established in 1951 by France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg. However, it was required afterwards to have motivations of a different nature.
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13.07.2007 Analysis of Political Events in Kyrgyzstan for April-June 2007
In the second quarter of the current year stabilization in politics emerged in the country. Regardless of the existent political contradictions, political groups managed to make several important decisions. Several factors contributed to this: First of all, a new Cabinet of Ministers that does not have (or at least does not have obvious) confrontation between Ministers and Agencies as well as opposition to the Government Leadership as it was during Felix Kulov’s times.
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03.07.2007 Kyrgyzstan: Design of the Future
One of the most complicated questions faced by contemporary Kyrgyzstan is whether we, the inhabitants, are able to govern ourselves and do so without foreign advice and influence. The answer to this question should be in the form of a national decision as well as with the necessary and effective proceedings. The answer should be prompt and decisive since accelerating worldwide political timing is a factor that plays against us.
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30.06.2007 Energy Security of Kyrgyzstan: Challenges and Opportunities
According to participants, energy security of the country strongly depends on uninterrupted increase of generating powers and decrease of dependence from import of energy from neighbor countries. In this sense, there should be no question, whether Kambarata power plants should be completed to start working. Even if construction of these stations would take not 5-7 years (as promised by some politicians and experts) but longer, they would still be demanded, because by 2015-2020 Kyrgyzstan would have huge energy deficit. Nevertheless, round table participants noted, one should not consider adoption of the above mentioned law as a guarantee of energy security of the country.
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26.06.2007 Mythology of political parties in Kyrgyzstan
At present the participation of parties in the decision-making process is literally limited by the organization of anti-governmental or anti-opposition rallies with bold slogans and without visible results. Despite the representation of some parties in parliament, the practice of initial consultations at plenary sessions, as a part of party factions working out and declaring common positions on contentious issues, is almost never applied. Such an approach, undoubtedly, has an element of constructivism and could become an effective mechanism in decision-making.
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25.05.2007 The Lull before the Storm?
The current political lull has not been paying a good service to the Kyrgyz government. Impression today is that having dispersed the protesters, people in the Kyrgyz White House do not know what to do further. Prime Minister seems to be still in ‘fight’, threatening to close down one or another mine. But it has become clear that such populism may destroy much but construct nothing. In two months after emergence of the new cabinet, few if any know what novelty would this government bring.
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23.05.2007 "Constitutional Reform in Kyrgyzstan as of May 2007"
Valentin Bogatyrev, Coordinator of Analytical Consortium “Perspektiva”: "The problem is that we do not know why we are conducting reform. Of course, if the country has ideas about its future and concrete objectives, the Constitution would serve as a tool to achieve those objectives. If those objectives required dictatorship, we would have adopted the relevant constitution quickly. In other words, we at least would have known how to do it."
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18.05.2007 Regional Elites in the Ferghana Valley Voice Complaints over Political Exclusion
Recent developments indicate that political discontent is brewing throughout the Kyrgyz, Tajik and Uzbek portions of the Ferghana Valley. The discontent is rooted in central governments' neglect of powerful regional elites' interests. Rather than addressing the problems in center/periphery relations, the central governments in Bishkek, Tashkent and Dushanbe appear intent on strengthening control over regional elites.
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16.05.2007 Constitutional Reform in Kyrgyzstan as of May 2007
On 14 May 2007 the Institute of Public Policy hosted a round table discussion on "Constitutional reform in Kyrgyzstan as of May 2007." Participants of the round table discussed the state and prospects of the constitutional reform, the role of constitution in political struggle and possibility of changing the current political situation through constitutional reform. Participants of the round table discussion noted that at present the Constitution in Kyrgyzstan does not serve to determine the general rules of the game; conversely, it generates conflicts among the main political actors.
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12.05.2007 Analysis of Political Events in Kyrgyzstan for January-April 2007
The main events this year are a natural continuation of the processes, which took place in November-December 2006 - a reaction to the rollback in December when a new Constitution increasing presidential powers was adopted. The situation was further exacerbated when Felix Kulov was twice rejected by parliament twice as Prime Minister and dismissed. Kulov’s United Front “For a Decent Future for Kyrgyzstan” attempted to organize a transfer of power by putting pressure on President Bakiev and forcing him to hold early presidential elections.
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09.05.2007 Kyrgyzstan's Water Policy: The Challenges and Possible Ways to Meet Them
The limited nature of water resources will sooner or later lead to understanding that water is an economic resource; moreover countries should discuss their needs and arrange priorities. It is important to pay attention to the goals and how much water is spent. International organizations should have made more effort to promote the achievement of consensus among countries on fair distribution of flows taking into account different needs. It is necessary to pay attention to the practice of application of economic criteria exists especially in cases when the principle of "profitable usage" is defined clearly. Often it concerns power production.
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06.05.2007 Central Asia: The Struggle for Energy, Freedom and Security
Central Asia, as it progresses along the path of independence, emerges from oblivion and becomes interesting to the rest of the world, particularly in the context of global competition for energy resources and ideological influence. The region is enormously rich in oil, gas, and non-ferrous metals. Besides, being located between Russia, China, and the Islamic world, and next to South-East Asia, Central Asia also begins to attract the close attention of the major players in world politics.
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26.04.2007 Issues of National Statehood in Central Asia
Whether the states of Central Asia have succeeded in becoming fully-fledged or not is a debatable question, with ambiguous answers. Whether they will succeed is also a valid question. The search for historical and philosophical roots and bases for the formation of modern platforms of state organization in Central Asia is not particularly successful from the point of view that there is a need to look towards some other history, to appropriate other's ideas of state organization - this is always as unstable as a sandcastle. Or the wandering reference point comes to rest upon myths and legends, which is also generally unreliable, since unconfirmed by real historical facts.
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24.04.2007 Bakyt Beshimov: "Opposition will become stronger, if it gets rid of hitchhikers and develops its ideology."
Bakyt Beshimov: If authorities start conducting reforms and constructing a new image of the state power with participation of opposition and main political forces of the country, they can significantly strengthen positions. If authorities fall into euphoria and start celebrating in lawlessness, then the next wave of resistance will emerge soon... There are no absolute victories. Some victories are symptoms of future catastrophe. Some defeats lay down the basis of future triumphs.
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23.04.2007 Evaluation of Political Situation after April 19
The Institute for Public Policy held meeting of experts of the institute to discuss current political situation on April 20, 2007. The discussion was initiated in light of April 19 events, when authorities dispersed opposition rally that started on April 11, 2007 at the central square in Bishkek. Round table participants stressed first of all that the April 19 event brought victory to neither side.
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16.04.2007 Where We Are?
Kyrgyzstan is praised in the West, lambasted in the East. "You have very interesting democratic processes,” westerners admire, while the assessment from the East is “chaos and the death of the state." But no one says that Kyrgyzstan in fact has been spinning around in some sort of storm, which rotates like a centrifuge without external constraints, and is throwing people, minds and valuable achievements out from its boundaries.
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13.04.2007 Assessment of Political Situation in Kyrgyzstan
On 12 April 2007 the Institute for Public Policy hosted a round table “Assessment of political situation in Kyrgyzstan.” The discussion was organized in light of ambiguous political situation after beginning of opposition’s protest demonstrations in central square of Bishkek. The round table participants suggested that the current dynamics of political developments have not been conducive to real political reforms.
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11.04.2007 Opposition demonstrations in Bishkek, 11 April 2007
On 11 April 2007 two major opposition movements of Kyrgyzstan, the United Front “For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan” and “For Reforms!” movement, started long-awaited continuous street demonstration, demanding early presidential elections and constitutional reforms. Observers suggest that the first day of demonstrations was rather a failure of opposition, which may seriously hinder chances for meaningful political reforms.
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05.04.2007 Feliks Kulov's Conditions
On 5 April 2007 the Bishkek Press Club hosted a press conference of the leader of United Front "For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan", former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov. Opposition leader reiterated that the Front remains committed to its two announced demands: early presidential elections and constitutional reform. At the same time, Feliks Kulov articulated conditions on acceptance of which by authorities the first demand could be dropped. Feliks Kulov said that the United Front forwarded President Bakiev the following demands: return to constitution of November 2006, adoption of a special constitutional law for the interim period before adopting a new constitution.
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05.04.2007 Muratbek Imanaliev: “We need a temporary consensus-based governance agency.”
The main question for today's Kyrgyzstan is: are we able to manage ourselves? Are we able, without any help, to create and strengthen a national state? The current political conditions (which include dwindling economics, degraded public relations, outrageous and shameless corruption, open "Africanization" of the country's image in the international arena) have no visible positive elements that could bolster development. Everything is subject to personal and selfish interests.
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03.04.2007 Ambassador Mueller: "OSCE will always be ready to provide a neutral platform for dialogue."
Ambassador Mueller: "The alternative of dialogue and agreement is conflict and destabilization. Every political leader takes in my view the responsibility for the stability of the country and a political solution which are in the interest of the whole country. Even as a foreigner I can say that nobody has the right to play with this stability and the unity of the country."
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03.04.2007 Current Political Situation and Possible Scenarios
On 2 April 2007 the Institute for Public Policy held a round table on “The Current political situation in Kyrgyzstan”, with the participation of IPP experts. The meeting was organized to discuss the increasingly tense political situation and the possible political development scenarios. The participants suggested that the appointment of Almaz Atambaev as Prime Minister is an interim decision, which cannot principally influence the political situation.
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30.03.2007 Challenges of developing effective state policy on water resources management
On 28 March 2007 the Institute for Public Policy hosted a round table "Challenges of developing effective state policy on water resources management", which brought together experts from state institutions, scientific centers and independent experts dealing with water and water power resources. The event was moderated by Muratbek Imanaliev, President of the Institute for Public Policy. The discussion was a follow-up of 15 December 2006 round table on "Water resources management in Kyrgyzstan: price and possible scenarios."
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20.03.2007 “Spring 2007: The Dynamics of Political Struggle and Possible Scenarios of Political Developments in Kyrgyzstan”
On March 16, 2007 the Institute for Public Policy hosted a round table "Spring 2007: The Dynamics of Political Struggle and Possible Scenarios of Political Developments in Kyrgyzstan", with participation of a number of political analysts - experts of the IPP. Participants pointed out several factors, which have been worsening the current political situation. Firstly, a part of opposition leaders have been putting rather radical demands and openly ruling out a possibility for negotiations. Secondly, state civil service has recently been increasingly politicizing, with several high ranking officials voluntarily resigning and joining opposition. Thirdly, with neither authorites nor nor leaders ready for serious negotiation and compromises, there seems to be no strong and influential mediators, neither within Kyrgyzstan nor outside it.
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14.03.2007 Muratbek Imanaliev: "We overworked the Constitution so that none of the Constitutions in Kyrgyzstan get public legitimization."
think that we should reach a consensus in the organization of authority, without even mentioning the semantic stuffing of authority bodies. The situation indeed is dangerous. We understand that the proposed Supreme Council is not a constitutional idea, but we need to take decisions that go beyond the Constitution. We overworked the Constitution so that none of the Constitutions in Kyrgyzstan get public legitimization. Kyrgyz society does not acknowledge those constitutions; also it does not acknowledge all legislation.
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12.03.2007 Kyrgyzstan: Democratic Success or Threat to Stability?
How could these two realities be combined: Kyrgyzstan - mega-regional vanguard of democratic development and Kyrgyzstan, and a source of social instability? There is one simple combination: I formulate it in the following way: development is instability. Any stability is a sign of stagnation or a latent accumulation of possible social explosions. In the view of such a paradigm of development, Kyrgyzstan is the most stable state in Central Asia since the processes of development are taking place here, and the ‘lid is off the cauldron'; everything boils and rages, but it will not explode.
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09.03.2007 Central Asia in 2007: Dynamics of Change and Development
On 2 March 2007 the Institute for Public Policy hosted a regional conference "Central Asia in 2007: Dynamics of Change and Development." The event gathered over 30 leading experts - political and economic analysts from Central Asian states as well as the Ukraine and Armenia. The conference was organized in two sections. The section "Political dynamics: changes and implications" was devoted to a discussion of the political development model of Central Asian states and issues related to the substance and dynamics of democratization and modernization.
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06.03.2007 "Authorities-Opposition" Tandem in 2007
What should be expected in the forthcoming months? To begin with careful attention should be paid to the essence of the authorities and the opposition – the main players on the political scene. For the authorities the clock is ticking, whereas the number of problems is drastically increasing. The politically active population is not going to be patient. The President recently made the second attempt after 2005 to increase the number of loyal supporters in power. According to experts, in the central government there are more people who imitate loyalty and have a wait-and-see attitude than are really faithful.
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27.02.2007 State Construction and Romanticism of Nationalism
The first principle of Kyrgyz nationalist is that we are neither better nor worse than anyone else. The decisive moment will occur only when we will not only acknowledge own shortcomings, but eliminate them. On the other hand, sober, critical absorption of useful foreign experience is also an important resource for development. QUALITY is the most important factor in solving the issues mentioned above: the quality of a person, quality of labor and produced goods, quality of authority, quality of relationships, etc.
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23.02.2007 Constitutional Reform and Powers of the Highest Government Bodies in Kyrgyzstan: A New Balance?
The last two (out of six) changes of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic have struck everyone with their unexpectedness and speed of adoption. Perhaps a statement that the main changes in the Constitution took place mainly because of redistribution of power between two popularly elected government bodies- the president and parliament- will not come as a surprise. These two main government bodies receive the most power from the people - all other government bodies consist of one or both of them. Precisely because of their popular election, however, there is a concentration of fundamental contradictions and conflicts with the society, its ethnic, denominational, linguistic, and regional divisions. Two popularly elected bodies find difficulties in reaching compromises, while powers and relations between them are changed in the Constitution. However, both in the Constitution and in practice, responsibility of these popularly elected bodies to the population for the results of their activities remains unchanged.
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20.02.2007 Language, Politics and State
In order to bring radical changes and improve the worsening situation, the Government should, besides socio-economic and other state programs (as yet, not present), work out a program of civic self-identification aimed at the realization of the rights of ethnic groups (including Kyrgyz) and at meeting national, cultural and other needs. This is directly related to such issues as broadening the knowledge of each other. For instance, to what extent are the citizens informed about the history of our compatriot's forefathers (Russians, Ukrainians, Germans, Jews, Dungans, Koreans, and Karachai, etc.) coming to Kyrgyzstan? It is perhaps not about boasting, but in banners and proclamations we all claim a united nation in Kyrgyzstan and in Kyrgyzstani patriotism.
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06.02.2007 "Technical" Cabinet: A Trap for the President of Kyrgyzstan?
The dramatically twisted plot of the confrontation between the parliament and Prime Minister has, in the end, resulted in the public "death" of the tandem between Bakiev and Kulov. The role of President Bakiev, who virtually abandoned his partner, was significant in this development, which was followed by the quick confirmation of Azim Isabekov as the new head of the Cabinet. Thus, he became the fourteenth prime minister in the fifteen-year history of "sovereign Kyrgyzstan." The majority of experts have already characterized his role as fitting within the limits of an elementary executor of the President's will.
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30.01.2007 Some Political Outcomes of 2006
Talking about political outcomes of 2006, we should not only see conflicts and mistakes, but also realize that this year brought us serous, in some way, fundamental political changes. Consequences of last year events will manifest in the nearest future and manifest significantly. In the first place, it will occur in the framework of preparation for Parliamentary elections according to the new system.
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26.01.2007 Roundtable on the Current Political Situation
In case he is confirmed as Prime Minister, Isabekov will become a much weaker political figure compared to his predecessor. From 1997 to 2000 Azim Isabekov worked as a head of administration of the Chui region under the direct leadership of then governor Kurmanbek Bakiev. Based on this, experts suggest that the new Cabinet will become a sort of "maintenance staff" of the Presidential Administration.
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18.01.2007 New Constitution: What is Next?
On January 12, 2007, the IPP`s Bishkek Press Club held a round table on the topic: “The New Constitution: What Awaits Us?” MP Iskak Masaliev and Gulnara Iskakova, an expert on constitutional rights, delivered speeches for the participants of the round table: journalists and representatives of NGOs, state bodies, and international organizations. The round table was organized in order to discuss the new edition of the constitution which was adopted by the Parliament on December 30, 2006.
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16.01.2007 Roundtable: “Kyrgyzstan in 2006: Achievements, Lessons and Perspectives”
The Institute for Public Policy held a round table entitled, “Kyrgyzstan in 2006: Achievements, Lessons and Perspectives,” on January 11, 2007, with the participation of local experts - political analysts, economists and diplomats. The objective of the round table was to discuss the main events and tendencies of 2006 and their forecasts for 2007. Most participants of the round table expressed their opinion that 2006 had not become a turning point towards a new qualitative period in political terms. The administration and the opposition demonstrated an equal lack of ideas on how to develop the country and in what directions.
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07.01.2007 Capacity Building for Journalists of the State TV
In February 2007 the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) is launching a new project “Capacity Building for Journalists and Editors of the Kyrgyz State TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation (KTR)”.
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04.01.2007 Political Parties in Kyrgyzstan: What if Elections Were Held Tomorrow?
Parties in the Kyrgyz Republic do not play a proper role in the political process yet. At the present moment, the parliament is an assembly of socially important individuals, but not an assembly of political parties as spokesmen of ideas and programs for social development. This circumstance complicates the legislative process, and makes the work of the parliament less consolidated and predictable. In addition, the nonpartisanship of the country’s leadership creates a situation in which political struggle concentrates around charismatic (or not so charismatic) politicians, not around ideas and political platforms.
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22.12.2006 Kyrgyz Crossword
Kyrgyzstan is an intriguing country in post-Soviet Central Asia. The historical drama of the country is full of conflicts and crucial plots, mysteries and myths; it has more questions than answers. It is the most open country in the region, with strong civil society and freedom of speech. At the same time, it is the most disorganized country, with weak government institutions and an inefficient bureaucratic system.
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20.12.2006 Muratbek Imanaliev: "The Parliament's dissolution will make the President more vulnerable."
In the current situation, it is clear that the Parliament is in the hanging situation. Obviously, the Parliament may keep working further. President, according to the new Constitution is not entitled to dissolve the Parliament. The only way is self-dissolution. Most likely that with the efforts of pro-president political parties, public figures and NGOs, and by working with individual MP groups the Parliament will be forced to self-dissolve.
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14.12.2006 Expert Discussion on Tripartism
The enhancement and development of social partnership between the state, employer, and employee on an equal basis is one of the main requirements for constructive resolution of contradictions between the subjects of social and labor relations. However, there are important questions regarding what necessities and preconditions exist for the development of tripartite relations.
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12.12.2006 Recommendations of the IPP for the Structure of the Government and Apparatus of the Prime Minister
The structure of the Government is a very important issue not only from an organizational aspect, but also from the political one. Therefore, forming the structure of the Government must be addressed with great thoroughness and responsibility. The Institute for Public Policy proposes its own version of the structure of Government.
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05.12.2006 Call for Applications - IPP Visiting Fellowship
The Institute for Public Policy, with support of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE, is pleased to announce the IPP Visiting Fellowship for political science researchers and analysts focusing on Kyrgyzstan.The goal of the fellowship is to contribute to quality research on various aspects of Kyrgyzstan politics. The fellowship provides foreign researchers with an opportunity to carry out field work in Kyrgyzstan, and thus incorporate more local knowledge and experience into their research output.
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26.11.2006 Bazarbai Mambetov: “Control over water resources is a key element of the future power of Kyrgyzstan”
Today, the problem of the energy sector is a problem of management. The tragedy of our state and government is its inability to provide the energy sector with effective management. Forty percent of produced energy goes to so-called commercial losses. The Toktogul hydroelectric station works almost for free. Unless we invite the private sector to participate in the construction of Kambarata-1, to ensure the effective management of Toktogul hydroelectric station and the five cascades, we will never be able to establish any order in energy. Kyrgyzstan must have a stable water and energy policy in Central Asia. Control over water resources must be seen as a key element to the future power of Kyrgyzstan. We must influence Central Asian politics.
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21.11.2006 Political and Legal Analysis of the Changes in the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic
As a result of the many Referendums on changes to the Constitution (1994, 1996, 1998 and 2003), the system of government in Kyrgyzstan has turned into an awkward and ugly monster, wherein the President concentrates the authority that normally belong to the Parliament, the Ministries, and the Judiciary in well functioning democratic countries. The system has not worked, and all hope revolves around its “repair.” Therefore, the demand for constitutional reform became the core concern of all the street rallies and demonstrations in 2005 and 2006.
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16.11.2006 Workshop “How to Write a Policy Brief”, Nov 25, 2006
The Institute for Public Policy presents a workshop on “How to Write a Policy Brief” to be held on November 25, 2006 from 13:00-16:00. The session will help participants understand what a policy brief is, and how to write one effectively. It will be helpful and informative for anyone who wishes to learn more about how to effectively communicate new and innovative policy ideas to decision-makers in government, as well as to the media, NGOs, and research institutes.
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16.11.2006 Roundtable: “The New Constitution: Politics or Law?”
In his introductory speech, the President of the Institute for Public Policy, Muratbek Imanaliev, noted that the new constitution came as a forced compromise between political actors. In light of the politically-intense situation, this document was adopted and signed in a short period of time, not only according to local criteria, but according to international criteria as well. The barely-born constitution has already caused hot debates among politicians, lawyers, and political analysts due to the numerous contradictions and vague points of the text.
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14.11.2006 The Constitution Was Signed: Now It’s Time to Change It
The Kyrgyz Constitution has once again become a victim of politicians. One could hardly expect it to be otherwise since, from the very beginning, the constitutional process was based on incompetence and political opportunism. Experts, lawyers, political analysts wrote about these threats, cautioning the politicians not to hurry or to violate the rules of constitutional process, and not to turn over the process to the hands of amateurs and politicians. However their voices were not heard.
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09.11.2006 Constitution agreed, but is crisis over?
Most of opposition leaders are in a very joyful mood, planning to celebrate the new Constitution. An extremely turbulent week seems to be over in Kyrgyzstan. The protest rally did not turn into violence, and authorities and opposition managed to agree on some importance changes to the Constitution. Now one may expect a relatively calm short period but new rounds of political tension and confrontation seem inevitable.
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08.11.2006 Events of November 7: Negotiations After Gas Grenades
President Bakiev and Prime Minister Kulov gave a press conference at 10.30 of 7th November, and claimed that the action of opposition leaders was rather an attempt of usurpation of power. Anti-Bakiev protesters of about 5,000 remained in the square whole day. Closer to midday another group emerged in front of the Parliament’s building, supporting President and Prime Minister, and opposing opposition. In media, it was called an ‘anti-meeting’ gathering, meaning a protest against opposition’s supporters.
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07.11.2006 Overview of the 6th November night
At 22:47 of 5th November the Kyrgyz Parliament started an extraordinary meeting. 33 MPs showed up for the meeting. As Parliament apparatus informed, many MPs were on the way, as they informed via phone. Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Tursunbek Akun was among MPs. About 5,000 protesters were on the main square of the meeting.
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06.11.2006 Overview of November 4th and 5th events
The protest of For Reform Movement started at 15:00 on Sunday in Bishkek. Closer to 18:00 about 1000 supporters of opposition approached the building of State TV and Radio Channel and started a short-term protest. Two main demands were voiced out: to provide broadcasting time to members of For Reform Movement and objective and unbiased coverage of events in Bishkek. Deputy General Director of State TV and Radio Channel Mr. Bekeshov came out to protestors and told that the Channel provides news only, and cannot provide opposition with air-time on first request.
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04.11.2006 Overview of November 3rd Events in Bishkek
On the morning of Friday, November 3, the ongoing protests continued. There were approximately 2,500 people in the Square. There were no policemen in the Square, but they were close to White House. Opposition leaders continued to give speeches, after which a concert was planned. Young talents with national instruments and guitars were waiting for their turns to perform. Protestors were given food and young people distributed newspapers “Agym” and “Litsa” to the crowds.
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02.11.2006 Overview of November 2nd Events in Bishkek
The preparations by the government for the November 2nd demonstrations started on November 1st at 18:30 when a column of soldiers arrived at the White House. About 30 people entered the government building. Each column had 10 soldiers. The soldiers were armed, and many of them had heavy metal whips.
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30.10.2006 Muratbek Imanaliev: “We are close to what is called a failed state”
Muratbek Imanaliev: They should sit over the table of negotiations. The table should be wide and they should talk, if needed, for 1-2 days, a week, or two weeks and they must finally reach a compromise. Especially the compromise should be reached by the President and the opposition because now they should think not about their own future, but the future of the state. I would suggest everyone to adopt some ideas of romantic nationalism.
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14.10.2006 Parliamentary Form of Governance: Risks vs. Opportunities
Nurlan Kashkaraev, an analyst of the Early Warning for Conflict Prevention project, argues that all forms of government have inherent risks, which require close attention. Currently, in consideration of the risks of different forms of governance, there is an observable emphasis on criticizing the mixed and presidential forms of government, while equally potential risks of the Parliamentary form of government have not been adequately considered. Below, Nurlan analyzes some of potential risks of the Parliamentary form of governance, though not indicating his preference for any other form. Emir Kulov, independent political analyst, in his turn argues that not all of the listed fears are justified. At the same time, certain risks of the Parliamentary form of government are unavoidable, but they also bring some chance for further positive changes.
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11.10.2006 Unemployment of Youth in Kyrgyzstan: Particularities of the Problem and Possible Solutions
The current high level of unemployment contributes to the massive level of labor migration. Based on the existing data, approximately 30% of the economically-active population is working outside of the country, with young citizens constituting the majority of this percentage. To be effective, the state’s youth employment policy should be differentiated and targeted on specific groups of the young population. It should combine proactive policy in the employment area with preventive measures that would improve employment opportunities for youth in the long-term.
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05.10.2006 How to Construct an Independent Judiciary: Various Options
Along with the process of dismissal, the application of disciplinary measures on judges is also not transparent; it lacks clear and objective criteria for penalizing judges. The President reserves the right to remove judges from their position based on broad and undefined grounds, complementing his authority to appoint/recommend candidates for the next term. Even though the head of state does not practice this right often, it effectively influences judges and jeopardizes their independence. Judges do not feel secure either while serving their term, or when looking into their future careers.
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28.09.2006 Forging Broken Links: Uzbeks and the State in Kyrgyzstan
That ethnic Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan are intensifying efforts to expand their political and cultural rights is clear. What is less clear, however, is why Uzbeks have decided to act more purposefully now. During the regime of former President Akaev, Uzbeks proved to be a loyal force behind the executive power. Government authorities also used Uzbek community influence during parliamentary and local elections. The report addresses the question by examining the turbulent relationship between the state and Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan, and offers a set of policy recommendations to address current challenges and rising ethnic tensions.
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27.09.2006 Survey Report: Popular Attitudes Towards Political and Public Institutions in Kyrgyzstan
Respondents from the southern region are more satisfied with the performance of the current Administration than respondents from the northern region. Many respondents confuse non-governmental organizations with international donors, professional unions or associations.The work of mass media is positively assessed by the urban population, particularly by residents of Bishkek, unlike the rural population, who valued highly the work of village administrations.
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21.09.2006 The Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan: Old Approaches for a New Generation
Currently, state youth policy (SYP) in Kyrgyzstan remains ineffective, symbolic, and formulaic. It does not address concrete tasks, related to the fact that there is uncertainty in the conceptual approaches to youth policy. The new state target program does not outline clear national priorities, and lacks adequate institutional mechanisms and resources to ensure the implementation of youth programs. Extra effort should be put into overcoming the formalities of the previous years and establishing prerequisites for the development and implementation of an effective youth policy. Otherwise, serious consequences may follow in the near future, especially considering that youth issues have been a serious aspect of the domestic policy of our country for many years.
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20.09.2006 On the Path to Ideal Bureaucracy: the Future of Public Service in Kyrgyzstan
Public service reform is a vital development priority for Kyrgyzstan, which will shape the future of all other reforms. The sustained improvement of the welfare and economic prosperity of all levels of society in Kyrgyzstan depends upon a properly functioning government, in which the norms of democracy, effectiveness and fairness prevail and are rigorously applied. A properly functioning government is directly dependent upon the creation of a nearly perfect bureaucracy. Though the word itself currently carries many negative connotations, bureaucracy in the positive sense demands complete compliance with a policy of efficiency, transparency, quality and accountability of the government.
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18.09.2006 Roundtable On the Current Political Situation
On September 14, 2006, the Institute for Public Policy hosted a roundtable discussion on the current political situation in Kyrgyzstan. The discussion was initiated in light of the growing tension between the President and the Parliament after an incident with former Parliament Speaker Omurbek Tekebaev in Warsaw involving narcotics, and the alleged involvement of the younger brother of the President, former deputy chief of the National Security Council, Janybek Bakiev.
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15.09.2006 Fifteen Years On: An Identity Failure
Certainly, Kyrgyzstan already exists, and will continue to exist. Predictions about the country’s collapse can be called nothing but irresponsible speculation. Still, what kind of a state is it? One of the unfortunate conclusions that can be made on the fifteenth anniversary of our sovereign development is that for the system of the Kyrgyz state, there was a complete failure of identification.
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07.09.2006 Reform of Legal Education in Kyrgyzstan: Arbitrary Scrutiny of Standards
Students educated within a system that has been shaped by covert and corrupt struggles for power and positioning will likely intuit this "law of the jungle" as being intrinsic to the legal system as a whole, and hence employ it in their subsequent practice of law after their formal education is complete. Such a body of graduates can hardly be expected to serve their country in a responsible or competent manner.
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01.09.2006 Reforming the Health Sector in Kyrgyzstan: Issues and Solutions
On July 21, 2006, the Institute for Public Policy hosted a roundtable discussion on “Reforming the health sector in Kyrgyzstan: Issues and Solutions.” Guest speakers included the Deputy Minister of Health Kasymbek Mambetov, Member of Parliament Bolot Maripov, Director of the Eye Microsurgery Hospital Almazbek Ismankulov, and the Executive Secretary of the National Council on Women, Family and Gender issues Toktokan Borombaeva. The top officials of the Healthcare Ministry, representatives of major donor organizations and non-governmental organizations also joined the roundtable.
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25.08.2006 Corporatization of Higher Educational Institutions in Kyrgyzstan: What Does the Future Hold?
Representatives of Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Policy have announced that denationalization of higher educational institutions would start in autumn 2006. However, neither the wider public nor higher education specialists themselves have full information that would allow them to judge the essence of the proposed reforms, their major tasks and motives, pluses and minuses, and potential consequences.
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01.08.2006 Does Kyrgyzstan Need Rayons and Oblasts?
The history of our country logically leads to conclusion that we must create a new, effective system of territorial-administrative division based on national principles of social organization. This system must have only two levels: the center, with clear functional limitations, and a fully-authorized plenipotentiary local self-government. Only five components must define the functions and authorities of the Center. 1. The Center is responsible for the security of the country. 2. The Center establishes and maintains rules on social behavior and economic activities. 3. The Center establishes standards in education, health, and quality of services. 4. The Center represents the country and protects the interests of its citizens in all foreign relations. 5. The Center provides high-quality public services to the population.
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27.07.2006 Reforming the Health Sector in Kyrgyzstan: Issues and Solutions
On July 21, 2006, the Institute for Public Policy hosted a roundtable discussion on “Reforming the health sector in Kyrgyzstan: Issues and Solutions.” Guest speakers included the Deputy Minister of Health Kasymbek Mambetov, Member of Parliament Bolot Maripov, Director of the Eye Microsurgery Hospital Almazbek Ismankulov, and the Executive Secretary of the National Council on Women, Family and Gender issues Toktokan Borombaeva. The top officials of the Healthcare Ministry, representatives of major donor organizations and non-governmental organizations also joined the roundtable.
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24.07.2006 Specifics and Tendencies of Political Struggle in Kyrgyzstan
On June 27, participants of the IPP project “Increasing youth involvement in public policy discussion in Kyrgyzstan’’ had a meeting with Muratbek Imanaliev, President of the IPP, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Associate Professor of the American University-Central Asia. Mr. Imanaliev spoke on specifics of political struggle, problems of state governance, political elite and the party system in Kyrgyzstan and related issues. Below is the transcript of the meeting.
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13.07.2006 Arbitration Tribunal: For the Effective Protection of Business from Government
Today, in disputes with entrepreneurs, the Government represents both a disputing party and at the same time an arbiter. This circumstance induces Kyrgyz entrepreneurs to look for methods beyond the legal frameworks to resolve their disputes. Experts conclude that there is a necessity to delegate the functions of dispute resolution between Government and business to the International Arbitration Tribunal.
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02.07.2006 Kubatbek Baibolov: “It is worth thinking: does it make sense to have protest meetings when the opponents do not want to hear each other”
On June 20, the participants of the IPP project “Increasing youth involvement in public policy discussion in Kyrgyzstan’’ had a meeting with MP Kubatbek Baibolov, the leader “Union of Democratic Forces” party and co-chairman of the “For Reforms” movement. During the discussion, participants touched on such issues as current tendencies of political struggle, constitutional reform and others. Below is the transcript of the meeting.
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13.06.2006 The Philology of Interethnic Relations in Kyrgyzstan
National minorities are usually outsiders – usually, but not always and not everywhere. Examples to the contrary include whites in the Republic of South Africa and Chinese in Malaysia. For Kyrgyz, who have attained the status of a state-forming or titular nation, the question of whether we have stopped to feel and identify ourselves as a national minority remains principal. The point lies not in numbers or a titular status, but in worldview and patterns of action.
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06.06.2006 Labor Migration: A Lost Population?
The situation with migration in the country is becoming increasingly precarious as a result of the massive outflow of the population due to economic and political instability, as well as a weak state migration policy. This situation produces a number of problems, and antagonizes others, including the conflict situations in trans-border areas, the separation of families, reproduction of the population, the “brain drain” phenomenon, reinforcement of a conservative worldview among the public, and finally, deterioration of the country’s image in general.
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28.05.2006 Another lesson from Batken: the defense capacities of the country require special attention
The defense capacities of the country were again called into question on May 12, when six Kyrgyz citizens were killed during a fight with unidentified militants in the southern Batken region. This latest occurrence demonstrates a deficiency in the preparedness of the armed forces, weak operative-investigatory activities, and an absence of work that is directed at developing cooperation with neighboring countries, the exchange of information, reconnaissance, or a general system of border security and state security.
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23.05.2006 Protesting Kyrgyzstan: “devaluation” of meaning, or increasing effectiveness?
In Kyrgyzstan, street protest is gaining force among various groups as an efficient method for attaining political and social goals. However, growth of civil activeness may result in devaluation of the meaning of protest.
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16.05.2006 Domestic Politics: Pre-election Races Underway
There are at least two important processes taking place in the political life of Kyrgyzstan presently. The first is related to the struggle between old and new views about the position and role of the government in general, and presidential power in particular. Even though Felix Kulov is correct to say that we do not have an opposition, he is right only in a traditional way. We do not have opposition as a political force which opposes the government and recommends special directions different from that of the government. Yet, apparently we have a different form of opposition. Civil society opposes the government. There is a stiff struggle between the government and civil society over who has more say in making important decisions for the country.
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15.05.2006 Lessons of the Andijon refugee crisis: What has Kyrgyzstan learned from it?
In March 2005, revolutionary developments in Kyrgyzstan sent shockwaves rumbling through neighboring Uzbekistan, placing Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s administration on guard against a popular revolt. Two months later, it was Kyrgyzstan’s provisional leadership that faced immediate political challenges resulting from the Uzbek government’s crackdown in Andijan. As several hundred Uzbek refugees fled to Kyrgyzstan, the administration of Kurmanbek Bakiev found itself pressured from three sides – the international community, which generally advocated long-term protection for the Uzbeks, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan’s powerful neighbor that demanded the return of its citizens. The third pressure came from various domestic groups that feared that refugees would drain Kyrgyzstan’s resources.
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13.05.2006 ROUNDTABLE - Constitutional Reform: Problems and Solutions
On May 12, 2006 the Institute for Public Policy hosted a roundtable discussion on “Constitutional Reform: Problems and Solutions.” Speakers of the roundtable were MP Azimbek Beknazarov, the Head of the Working Group on drafting the new Constitution and Gulnara Iskakova, expert on constitutional law, Associate Professor at the American University-Central Asia. Former MP and expert at UNDP office in Bishkek, Professor Zainiddin Kurmanov moderated the discussion. Policy practitioners, experts, representatives of international organizations and analysts from IPP also took part in the roundtable.
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12.05.2006 Top-Level Resignations and the Akmatbaev Murder: Implications for Kyrgyz Politics
The dismissal of several top-ranking officials and the murder of Ryspek Akmatbaev have seriously affected the political balance in Kyrgyzstan, allowing President Bakiev to intercept the political initiative. Does this mean that the President has managed to prevent the May 27 opposition rally, which could well result in demands for his resignation? How will the resignations and the assassination affect political (in)stability in the country?
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06.05.2006 New Political Traditions in Kyrgyzstan: Causes and Implications
On April 27, 2006, the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) hosted a roundtable discussion titled “New political traditions in Kyrgyzstan: causes and implications.” This event, organized with a limited audience to ensure depth and quality of discourse, had as its chief objective discussion of the issue of emerging political traditions in Kyrgyzstan. Among the roundtable speakers for this occasion were Ishenbai Abdrazakov, ex-secretary of state, presidential advisor and consul general to Japan, MPs Jantoro Satybaldiev and Osmon Artykbaev, ex-MP and political expert Zainidin Kurmanov and Sergey Slepchenko, coordinator of the Analytical Consortium Perspective. The roundtable was moderated by IPP president Muratbek Imanaliev.
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02.05.2006 Towards a new political crisis? Ministers submit a collective resignation
On May 2, 2006 the entire cabinet of Kyrgyz ministers has resigned, with the exception of Prime Minister and Chair of State Committee for State Property. The resignation is caused, ministers state, by irreconcilable contradictions between the government and Parliament. Last week the Kyrgyz Parliament, Jogorku Kenesh, assessed each minister’s performance, and gave ‘unsatisfactory’ mark to all except Prime Minister and three ministers, although the performance of the government in general was found “satisfactory.”
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19.04.2006 Valentin Bogatyrev: "Above all, the March events resulted in the loss of the sanctity of state ."
On October 10th 2005, Valentin Bogatyrev talked at IPP on old and new problems of state governance after the March events. Bogatyrev is a director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, and is an adviser to the President.
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19.04.2006 National Ideology: Forward or Backward?
Perhaps, national ideology (if it is indeed needed) comprises certain cultural, political and economic reference points, which are formed on the basis of a national value system. However, to be guided in this context by something from the distant past means building an ethnographic museum – a quasi-state, which will be visited by a few foreign tourists – lovers of exotic.
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19.04.2006 Who in Kyrgyzstan Supports Liberal Democracy?
"Recent IPP articles show that discussion over the best form of government for the Kyrgyz Republic has intensified, especially in the current atmosphere of questioning the relative powers and responsibilities of the President, Prime Minister and Parliament. As the debate continues in the capitol, mostly among political elites or well-educated observers, it has been difficult to know for certain what “the public” thinks." Melissa Burn argues, support for liberal democracy is higher now than ever before in Kyrgyzstan, though with some reservations.
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19.04.2006 Civil Service Today: Problems and Solutions
The political events that unfolded after the “Tulip revolution” have exposed problems regarding the competency and civic responsibility of government employees at all levels. Esenbek Urmanov on some salient problems in civil service.
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19.04.2006 Formation of Political Party System in Kyrgyzstan
"All parties, independent of their type and orientation, should aim at strengthening the national system of values and promotion of these interests both domestically and internationally." Muratbek Imanaliev discusses the state of political parties in Kyrgyzstan and their role in state governance during his meeting with representatives of political parties, public servants, and assistants of Parliament members – participants of “Policy debate and good governance” project of IPP.
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18.04.2006 Welcome Note
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the website of the Institute for Public Policy. The IPP, functioning since September 2005, is a Bishkek-based independent research and policy-making institution. The mission of the Institute for Public Policy is to contribute to effective, responsive and accountable public policy making in Central Asia.
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The Institute for Public Policy is a Bishkek-based independent organization that was founded in April 2005. It aims at promoting formation of a practice of public policy and development of mechanisms of constructive interaction between state institutions, civil society, mass media and businesses. The Institute supports partner relations with many participants of public and political processes and aims at involving the public in the process of decision making.